Short Answer Questions

1. What does Boethius do after hearing Philosophy's arguments on fortune?

2. Why does Boethius want political power?

3. What is Boethius' first thought on why the woman came in his cell?

4. How tall is the woman that appears in Boethius' cell?

5. What is the real cause of Boethius being miserable according to Philosophy?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the woman's discussion with Boethius on blessings when Boethius complains about the tangibility of his pain?

2. What diagnosis does the Lady Philosophy make and what does she point out at the beginning of Book II?

3. Why does the woman believe Boethius is responsible for his own suffering?

4. Why would Boethius choose not to mention the Bible in "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

5. Who does the woman liken Boethius to and why?

6. Why does Boethius praise God?

7. What is significant about the clothing worn by the woman who enters Boethius' cell?

8. At the start of Book 1 of "The Consolation of Philosophy", where is Boethius and what is he doing?

9. What does the woman say about Fortune not being malicious at the end of Book II?

10. What is the significance of the title, "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Boethius discusses the difference between philosophy and fortune in his book. In an essay, examine why fortune is not something humans should trust and why one should only be comforted by philosophy.

Essay Topic 2

"The Consolation of Philosophy" includes some of the poetry Boethius composed while imprisoned. In an essay, discuss the poetry and how the poems within the prose either diminish or illustrate the textual meaning. Use examples from the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Lady Philosophy defines chance in "The Consolation of Philosophy" and analyze why Lady Philosophy rejects chance as defined as a random or arbitrary force. Discuss the other definitions of chance discussed and use the text to support your statements.